Synthetic Cannabinoids

Camp discusses the effects of marijuana. Cannabis sativa, better known as marijuana, is a plant containing chemical compounds capable of causing physiologic and psychological effects in humans. These effects are well documented and include tachycardia, vasodilation, hypertension, bronchodilation, and decreased intraocular pressure. The psychological effects include changes in perception of external stimuli, difficulty concentrating, distortions of time perception, and memory failure. Marijuana contains cannabinoids, which are responsible for the psychoactive effects and have made marijuana a popular drug of abuse. Although there are many different cannabinoids in marijuana, Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the one principally responsible for the psychological effects.